DELAWARE SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER JOINS

NATIONAL ‘SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY’ MOVEMENT FOR DELAWARE

Georgetown, DE – Small business owners will jumpstart the holiday shopping season across Delaware in a joint celebration of “Small Business Saturday” on Saturday, November 26.  This year, the Delaware Small Business Development Center has joined forces as a community partner to bring awareness that will help drive customers to locally-owned businesses during the holiday season.

“Delaware’s Small Business Development Center is partnering with this effort in support of the thousands of small businesses across Delaware,” said Bill Pfaff, Assistant State Director of the Small Business Development Center.  “Locally owned businesses are a major part of Delaware’s economic stability, and we as consumers need to be mindful of that when making our holiday purchases.”

The Delaware SBDC invites small businesses to take advantage of the promotion by providing their offers for a free listing on the statewide SBDC website:  http://delawaresbdc.org/small-business-saturday.  Consumers are invited to check back often as more offers are added.

Participating businesses are also encouraged to stop by the Small Business Development Centers at 1 Innovation Way, Suite 301 in Newark (302-831-1555) and at 103 W. Pine Street in Georgetown (302-856-1555) to pick up free “Shop Small” canvas shopping bags and other marketing supplies while they last.

The nationally-recognized small business movement was first recognized in 2010 as a counterpart to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which typically feature big box retail and e-commerce stores respectively.  By contrast, Small Business Saturday, always the Saturday following Thanksgiving, encourages holiday shoppers to patronize brick and mortar businesses that are small and locally-owned. Small Business Saturday is an American Express promotion.

Longtime area businesswoman Millie Pedersen, owner of Josephine Keir Ltd. at Home, is passionate about small business promotions such as Small Business Saturday.  She has big plans for her locations at Five Points Square in Lewes and on Walnut Street in Milford.

Ms. Pedersen, celebrating 28 years in business, will begin her holiday season with a Small Business Saturday sale on November 26 including deeply-discounted, in-stock items such as upholstered furniture, tables, side chairs and accessories such as pillows and lamps.

“Events such as Small Business Saturday are not only good for local retailers, they are good for the health of our local communities,” Ms. Pedersen said.  “When you shop at a locally-owned store, your money stays in the community.”

“I have customers who have been with me for years, and this is a great time to show my appreciation for their business,” she said.  “Plus, this is the perfect time of year to update your home since many people will be entertaining lots of family and friends during the holiday season.  With this sale, I am also hoping to attract new customers who may not be aware that we offer high-quality products for their home as well as interior design consultation right here in their own community.”

Josephine Kier Ltd. at Home specializes in unique oriental, tribal and contemporary rugs as well as home furnishings, accessories and fine art.  Services include rug cleaning, repair, restoration, rug padding and in-store and in-home design consultation. For contact information and store hours, visit the website, http://www.jkltd.com.

The Parris Nail Lounge, located on Governors Avenue in Dover, is another locally-owned business that is eager to participate in Small Business Saturday.

“Every customer who walks in the door on November 26 will receive a gift certificate for a $35 manicure and pedicure that is good not only that day, but on any day,” said Tammy Parris, the shop’s owner.  In addition, customers can take advantage of special buys on all natural body products that day.

“Small Business Saturday means growth for the small business,” Ms. Parris said.  “Customers can enjoy the ambiance as well as all the personal services that a small business can provide to their clients,” she added.  Ms. Parris always dreamed of owning a luxury salon where she could treat each customer individually.  With 15 years of experience, she will celebrate her first year downtown Dover in December.  For contact information and store hours, visit the website, http://www.parrisnaillounge.com.

Bridgewater Jewelers, located on Delaware Street in historic New Castle, is the oldest family-owned and operated jewelry store in the nation.  For 133 years, Bridgewater Jewelers has prided itself on superior business ethics, quality, service and fairness. Their cornerstone for customer loyalty is providing quality merchandise at a fair price.

Owner Mary Lenhoff describes Bridgewater Jewelers as “the epitome of Small Business Saturday.”  It’s a day she looks forward to all year and goes all out for her customers.  This year is no exception.  In addition to hors d’oeuvres, a trunk show will feature the custom work of J&C Creations, high-quality gemstones, pearls and diamonds of multiple colors.  Special pricing will be offered on all J&C Creations’ jewelry on Small Business Saturday.

Ms. Lenhoff is also planning a hands-on workshop for her customers.  Called “Build Your Own Custom Necklace,” the end product is a marriage between an old pocket watch and a necklace, a style that has become very popular.  Customers who wish to participate should bring their pocket watches to the workshop.

“Small Business Saturday means a lot to us, especially since we’ve been a family business for 133 years, and we’re located in a historic building that is in a historic town,” Ms. Lenhoff said.  “We’re serving generations of families,” she said.  “I am now redesigning engagement rings that my grandfather and father originally made.  I’m turning diamonds from rings into a newer style of necklace.  This is what small business is all about…keeping it in the family.”

For contact information and store hours, visit the website, http://www.bridgewaterjewelers.com.

Mark your calendars for November 26, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and get ready to #ShopSmall.  Visit the SBDC website at http://www.DelawareSBDC.org for a list of participating businesses.  Please share your favorite Small Business Saturday moments on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram with #ShopSmall.

PHOTO CAPTION:

Bill Pfaff, Assistant State Director, and Sharon Louth, Business Advisor, of the Delaware Small Business Development Center, are helping locally-owned small businesses promote “Small Business Saturday” set for Saturday, November 26.